What is the most abundant natural polymer?

Cellulose is recognized as the most abundant natural polymer due to its widespread presence in the cell walls of plants. This polysaccharide provides structural support and stability, making it essential for maintaining the integrity of plant cells. Cellulose is a linear chain of glucose monomers linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds, which allows it to form rigid structures that contribute to the mechanical strength of various plant tissues.

In the context of tissue engineering, cellulose and its derivatives are increasingly explored for their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to promote cell adhesion. These properties make cellulose an attractive candidate for scaffold materials, which are crucial for supporting tissue regeneration.

While dextran, chitosan, and starch are also significant natural polymers, they do not match cellulose in terms of abundance. Dextran is a polysaccharide produced by bacteria, chitosan is derived from chitin (found in crustacean shells), and starch is a major energy storage polysaccharide in plants, but none of these polymers are as ubiquitous as cellulose. Thus, cellulose's prominence and functionality in plants clearly establish it as the most abundant natural polymer in nature.